I haven't updated in ages. I spend all my time either in class, studying, being an RA, doing sorority president stuff, or working on stuff for the LSAT. I promise that I am still reading many of your blogs when I have time!! I hope you all are doing wonderful. Miss you all, and hopefully I can update on more fun stuff soon!!!!!

So I have been setting my blog up to auto post... and it hasn't been.

AGGRAVATING to say the least!!

I'll see if I can figure out a way to back-post!

Cheeers!

I love how I promised I would update more, and then magically disappeared from blog world! I have been really busy with working, training for my triathlon, and doing stuff with the family that I haven't really spent much time online. Please forgive me! The weather here in western NC is absolutely beautiful, and I am headed out to wash my car and run the lake. :) 

For those of you who have asked, I did decide to become a vegan... I am about three weeks in, and it is absolutely the best thing I have ever done. I have so much energy, I have lost a lot of weight that seemed like it would never leave my thighs, and has really helped me with training for my triathlon. I found out that I like a lot of foods I never thought I would, and I also realized that it is far more difficult to follow such a lifestyle change, since it seems as though milk, eggs, and cheese are in EVERYTHING!! I made vegan taco salad a few nights ago, and my parents didn't even notice that they weren't eating beef. :) I'll post some recipes for you all to try out if you'd like :)

Also, have any of you tried P 90X or 30-day Shred? A lot of the women in my body pump class have been raving over both the videos and I just wanted to see if anyone else had any reviews on them!

I am working with my parents interior designer this week to redo my bedroom. I think I'm going to go out on a whim and make it really shabby chic. It is ultra modern right now, but I am ready to mix things up a little bit, especially since I will be taking a lot of my furniture with me when I graduate next spring :)

June is my favorite month, and I have a lot in store for this month including hosting my own pay it forward (LIS, you were too sweet with your gifts and I love them!!), a summer musthaves giveaway, fashion reviews, and so much more. I hope you will enjoy the ride, and I promise to update more. 

As soon as I get back to my MAC I will update who won my latest giveaway ;)

Much love,

SouthernBelle

Skinny Bitch

Have any of y'all read "Skinny Bitch?" - I recently picked up a copy at the oh-so-fabulous B&N and haven't been able to put it down. I am one of those people that really doesn't care for red meat, I only like chicken, and could eat it at any meal. The way chickens are treated is disturbing and so very cruel... as an animal LOVER, I feel awful! Furthermore, cookies are my ultimate weakness. I LOVE cookies, chocolate chip, peanut butter, double chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, no-bake, you name it, I LOVE IT! Too bad sugar in it's most common form on our grocery shelves has no nutritional value and actually has been attributed to a plethora of health issues! I have struggled with staying healthy and in shape all my life. I have played with the idea of becoming a vegetarian a lot over the last few years, and reading this book has reaffirmed why. It is pretty disturbing what all is in the carcasses we eat, or the lack of minerals in the bread we gorge ourselves with. I have never been a big milk drinker, but it's no wonder that nowadays everyone is becoming more and more obese. Milk has the capability of having a 6lb baby turn into 24lbs over the course of a year, and milk has the same capabilities of doing this to an adult later in life... yuckkkk! Humans are the only animal that drink milk from another animal... odd! What's even worse is the government does little to protect us, and they don't monitor these slaughterhouses to see what exactly we all are eating... ahh! Are any of you vegans/vegetarians or have any insight on the topic? I'd love to hear what you all think!!

XOX,

SouthernBelle

Paula Deen... My heart and soul

"WE NEED MORE BUTTER" -Paula Deen

So, livin' in the South all my life has been a real treat. My momma has 

instilled impeccable manners in all her children, and living in the South has meant lots of good times around the table with family and friends. If you follow Paula on Twitter (like I do!) you probably know the great Paula Deen was in my stompin' grounds a few weeks ago debuting her new furniture line! I was busy preparing for exams, and ran out for a bite to eat with one of my friends, and low and behold, there was THE Paula Deen. She is just as sweet as pie, and a true Southerner. All of my friends joke with me and tell me that I'm the next Paula, with my Southern twang, and demeanor. She was having a BBQ sandwich, Carolina slaw, and sweet tea. Thank God for all things Southern! I must admit, following her recipes and trying to stay in shape isn't the easiest thing in the world, but hey, a Southern lady has got to live, and Paula Deen sure has taught us all how! I sure hope I'm at least half as fabulous as she is when I'm her age! 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Who knows, maybe there will be something Paula Deen thrown in :)

Hope you're having a great day!

XOX,

SouthernBelle

Maxi Dresses and Giveaway!!!

After an exceptionally long hiatus, SouthernBelle is BACK! I am finished with school, and relaxing all summer, so I've got ample time to catch up with my favorite blogs. In honor of my return, I am hosting a GIVEAWAY! The gifts will be preppy, have a monogram (or two, or three), your favorite colors, and will be some of my favorite things for summer. 

To enter:

Leave a comment on this post by May 28th, 1:00p Eastern and get ONE entry!

Leave a comment on this post, and follow me, or already be a follower and get THREE entries!

Leave a comment on this post, be a follower, blog about the giveaway, and get SIX entries!

Leave a comment on this post, be a follower, blog about this giveaway, and follow me on Twitter, and get TEN entries!

If someone you sent from your blog wins, you win too!

I wanted to share with you some of my latest finds that I just LOVE!

Right now I am wearing a cute Diane von Furstenberg Maxi that

 I adore. Maxi dresses are the go to staple of the summer and can be dressed up or down taking you from day to night with ease. I have the Dewitt Dress and it is darling! 

I found a darling Milly Maxi that I'll be wearing at one of my sorority sisters' weddings this summer that I just ADORE. I missed the Rue La La sale for the the Lilly Maxis, but I picked this one up for half off and it is darling, and so very summery!

Be sure to enter my giveaway and since I have an iPhone now, I'll try and update my blog, and Twitter lots more! :) 

XOX,

SouthernBelle

Lilly Giveaway!

Hey Ladies! Everyone head over to Muffy Martini's giveaway for some fabulous Lilly goodies!! To all my fellow college blog buddies, good luck on your finals in the coming weeks!! For those of us in the south, hasn't the weather been GORGEOUS!!?! I'm sitting in lecture... Got to go!!

XoX,

SouthernBelle

I'm going to be...

an aunt! I am beyond thrilled for my brother and sister-in-law! :) I am really close with my oldest brother and I know he will make a wonderful daddy. I can not wait to start planning baby showers, buying darling baby clothes, and helping my parents prepare a nursery in our home for their first grandchild. 

Life has been busy, but exciting. I'm purchasing a new car this weekend, I've lost 17lbs (just by giving up fast food and soft drinks!) and signed up for a triathlon in October! Classes are extremely difficult this semester, so I'm just trying to stay afloat. I am anxious to get home for Easter break with my family, as there truly is no place like home! 

Lots of love,

SouthernBelle

Currently residing in a pink and green, Lilly-fied beach house in...

CHARLESTON! My favorite city ever...

I'm alive.

Taking 21 hours, being sorority president, working a job, going through recruitment and having our chapter double in size, having the flu and pneumonia, and writing 3-4 papers a week has kept me busy.

I will update soon, I promise.

I'm reading everyone's blogs when I have time, which isn't often. :( I miss you all!

PS. I've gotten some cute catalogs in the mail that I can't wait to blog about! :):):)

Everyone in the south, are you lovin' the weather or what?!!?

2009

Happy New Year's! I hope you all had a great time ringing in the new year, and kissing 2008 goodbye ;) - I went out with one of my good friends L to a small get together with some friends from high school. It was a lot of fun, and it was great being able to catch up with kids from class! 

I don't know how many of my readers listen to Taylor Swift, but last night I ran into my friend, G, and I was asking him what he's doing since we graduated, and he told me that in four days, he's leaving for 14 months to go on tour with Taylor Swift! He's my age, and will be making six figures, doing something he absolutely loves, playing the drums. I am so excited for him, and hopefully I'll be able to see them in concert sometime in the next year! :) Furthermore, she is coming into MY town this weekend to meet his family and hang out in his hometown which is pretty sweet! :)

I know that many of us are always searching for an Uh-Maze-Ing face wash/lotion, and I just wanted to share with you what keeps my skin looking fresh, and youthful. I swear by NeoStrata, and it has worked wonders on my skin, and my moms, too! 

I get mine from a local esthetician, but perhaps you can order it online or search and find a place near you that carries it! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

XoX,

SouthernBelle

PS... I'll be hosting a give-away soon and if you are a follower of my blog, lets just say you will be in luck ;)

world's worst blogger award

From me.... to me!

I am incredibly sorry I have been so out of touch with my blog over the last month or so, I have been so busy, I can't even think straight. Exams have come and gone, and thankfully I was still able to keep a 4.0 on the transcript. Christmas has also come and gone, and Santa and my

 family blessed me yet again! I am truly fortunate to have had such a great ending to 2008, because the rest of the year wasn't as fabulous. I thought I'd compile a little list of my favorite Christmas treats this year, and a list of what I'm looking forward to most in 200

9. Hopefully, I'll be back to blogging more frequently in the new year, because I do miss this creativ

e outlet. 

My sweet brother, and SIL gave me a darling Lilly shift. A girl can never have too much Lilly hanging in her closet, right??

Since I turned 18, my parents have given me a new piece of David Yurman every year for

 Christmas. I love the Cable Candy collection, and this bracelet is divine! :)

Anyone that reads my blog regularly knows that I loveeee Tory Burch flats. They're perfect with casual outfits and when I dress up and don't feel like strapping on 4" stilettos! 

Like Think Classy, I fell IN LOVE with Cole Haan's line with Nike Air sole shoes. They are the most comfortable pumps I've ever worn. I wish that Mr. Weitzman would team up and offer his shoes with some athletic soles :) - I got my pair right before Christmas and I'm so glad I did. I haven't stopped wearing them! 

At school I watch tons of DVD's, and my parents definitely outdid themselves in expanding my collection. I now currently have every season of Full House! Ha! Full House has always been my favorite show, and I still smile when I watch the repeats on ABC Family. 

Now on to my wish list of 2009...

Train, lose weight, and complete my first triathlon...

Take my vitamins every single day to ensure that I don't get sick like I did this year. :)

Go on a relaxing vacation for spring break 2009! :)

I also am going to work on not over extending myself. I am way too involved in everything and try and fill my plate wayy too full. I know I will be incredibly busy with being sorority president for the next year, and I am looking forward to watching our chapter double in size during recruitment next month, and learning and expanding my knowledge about my sorority and it's future. More than anything I hope 2009 brings a close to the economic uncertainty, and that when Obama takes office, the country will take a turn for the better. I especially am concerned with the economy, as a year from now I'll be taking the LSAT, and going to law school, and since my undergrad has cost almost $200,000, I just don't know what I'm going to do to pay for school. Let's all hope and pray that stability will once again be apart of each and every person's lives. 

Wishing you all a safe, and joyous New Years Eve, and New Year!

XoX,

SouthernBelle

GIVEAWAY!

Everyone head over to kaybee's blog to enter her fabulous giveaway! :) 

Have you missed me?!

Here's a little photo update of how my last two weeks have been spent. As I focus on exams, I will continue to be MIA. Rest assured, I am still reading all of your blogs, and commenting when I can! Hope you all have been doing great!

XOXO,

Southern Belle

Yes! I am now president of my sorority. I also enjoyed numerous shots on my birthday... and I took my first sister-daughter in my sorority! It has been an eventful couple of weeks but I promise a fun Christmas update, full of wish-lists, recommendations, and holiday must-haves! 

Birthday!!!!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! YIPPPEEEEE!

I'll be back in action this week with birthday pictures, and an update from Thanksgiving, shopping, etc.

PS. No one has said they're interested in my pay-it-forward, so if you are, let me know!!!

xox,

SouthernBelle

Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I apologize for the lack of posts, and comments to all my oh-so fabulous blog friends, I have been INCREDIBLY busy. I have been inundated with school work over the last couple of weeks, and have caught some sort of nasty sickness. Needless to say, I'm on the road to recovery, thank goodness. I will be spending my Thanksgiving break doing homework, and since Sunday is my birthday, I'll be letting loose that day ;) - I do hope to be caught up with all my school work in the next week or so, so hopefully I'll be able to be more caught up with each of you! 

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am excited about some turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin and pecan pie, and most importantly, spending the day with my family. In the last few weeks Momma Belle, and Southern Daddy have had our kitchen renovated. Needless to say, it looks absolutely beautiful, but it's probably best if we give everything a few days to, shall I say, set up? My parents and I, along with some close family friends will be having our Thanksgiving celebration at the Old Stone Inn. If you read Pink Lemonade and  Peonies, she was there a few weeks ago. It's one of my favorite places to eat, and I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing meal, and no clean-up, or prep work! 

Have any of you found any spectacular Black Friday deals? Last year, my mom and I went to Belk for the free gift cards they were handing out, and it was SNOWING, so needless to say, our shopping adventures ended within minutes after they began. I can't think of anything I really want/need, but who knows, maybe I'll go out later in the day? Do any of you have any tips/tricks for Black Friday shopping?!

I also want to thank each of you wonderful ladies who have bestowed awards upon me in the last few weeks, I promise I'll forward them on, and put them on my blog. Just give me a few more days! Also a HUGE THANK YOU, to The Mrs. at Leaving and Loving on a Jet Plane for my Pay-it-Forward surprise. It was absolutely the perfect pick-me-up on a bad day this past week. I am so excited to use my preppy goodies when I return back to campus this weekend. I am going to continue the fun, so lucky for you...

The "rules" state that the exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward.

Here's how it works: I will send a little surprise to the first three blog owners who post a comment on this entry, letting me know that they do in fact, want to to participate. In turn, those three will post this information and pick three people they want to send something to and so on.

Just to kick it up a notch, the first three that respond, please include a short snippit of your favorite holiday tradition! 

Last but certainly not least, shopping! My boots that I ordered came in and are DIVINE. I wore them yesterday and got so many compliments. I love the dark brown color, and how even if I don't wear skinny jeans, my pants can still be tucked into them. My parents also gave me some of my birthday gifts when I got home including these darling Joes Jeans, which I believe are always chic and perfect. 

Rocker/Haley

Tory Burch Patent Reva Ballet Flats

My parents are too good to me. :) They've even ordered me a princess cake... haha!

I hopefully will be better in touch with you all soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

XoX,

SouthernBelle

Sorry for being the world's worst blogger.

I'll update soon!

XoX,

SouthernBelle

Pandora, Life, Cutesies!

Do any of you ladies use Pandora? I am in love with it! I always am listening to my iPod or iTunes and love being able to listen to something a little different, or hear songs I haven't heard in awhile. If you are looking for a perfect blend of your favorite types of music, check out Pandora! I love turning it on and then reading through my favorite blogs... what I've been doing for the last hour or so! ;)

The end of the semester is near, and so is my big birthday and I couldn't be more excited and stressed. Not only do I have two HUGE presentations that my final grade in two classes depend on the day after my birthday, I have numerous other assignments to complete over the next two weeks to see that I make the infamous Dean's List yet again. I was planning on going home on Monday afternoon for the Thanksgiving holiday, but I may wait until Tuesday since I'd like to not have to call a sub to tutor my yungun's and there's a concert that I would like to attend on Friday night... so we'll see how this weekend plays out and what I decide. I'm also super excited to head to N.C. State on Saturday for a basketball game. My small little liberal arts school is playing NC State and over 500 students are going to the game! Should be fun even though we probably won't win ;)! I have a rock and roll mixer on Friday night, and haven't a clue as to what I should wear. I've heard that some people are going as Elvis, and just want to make sure I look the part! 

I'm also kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. The family I had been babysitting for since September-ish, hasn't needed me for the last two and a half weeks. I understand that times are getting rough, and they may not be able to afford a babysitter, but they haven't even called to tell me that they won't be needing me on Tuesday and Thursday's. My Tuesday and Thursday's have been blocked out so that I can watch their kids, and they don't even call to give me notice I won't be needed. Is it wrong of me not to call and ask if I am supposed to watch their kids? Isn't it a parents responsibility to let their babysitter know more than 2 hours in advance if they are needed? I am not going to continue not do anything on Tuesday and Thursday's and wait around on them! I won't be available next week to watch their kids since I'll be at home for Thanksgiving, and then I come back to school and two weeks later have finals. I can not spread myself too thin, I am here to get an education.

In other news, I got the cutest stocking at Pier One this week! I'm decorating my dorm room for Christmas and needed a cute stocking for my door. I settled on this cute little number and think between my ultra girly Christmas tree, complete with Lilly ornaments, it'll be perfect! :)

I'm all about bows, ruffles, pink and cuteness! 

I came across Pinks & Needles blog and it's absolutely adorable! Be sure to go check out her great blog and swoon over all her things! 

I'm headed out to finish my swap goodies for the Christmas Swap! Hopefully I'll be better connected soon! :) 

XoXo,

SouthernBelle

Instead of studying, I decided to do this little survey... :)

Appearance:- I am 5′4 or shorter.
- I think I'm ugly.
- I have many scars. 
- I wish my hair was a different color. 
- I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
- I have a tattoo.
- I am self-conscious about my appearance.
- I have/I've had braces.
- I wear glasses. (I'm supposed to anyway...)
- I'd get/have gotten plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free, scar-free. (Just for skin cancer on my back, but its so funny to tell people I've had plastic surgery!)
- I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger. 
- I have freckles. 

Family/Home Life:
- I've sworn at my parents. 
- I've run away from home.
- I've been kicked out of the house.
- My biological parents are together.
- I have a sibling less than one year old.
- I want to have kids someday.
- I have children.- I've lost a child.

Embarrassment:
- I've slipped out a "LOL" in a spoken conversation.
- Disney movies still make me cry.
- I've snorted while laughing.
- I've laughed so hard I've cried. 
- I've glued my hand to something. 
- I've laughed till some kind of beverage came out of my nose.
- I've had my trousers rip in public.

Health:- I was born with a disease/impairment.
- I've had stitches.
- I've broken a bone.
- I've had my tonsils removed.
- I've sat in a doctor's office with a friend. 
- I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
- I've had serious surgery.
- I've had chicken pox.

Traveling:
- I've driven over 200 miles in one day. 
- I've been on a plane. - I've been to Canada. 
- I've been to Niagara Falls.
- I've been to Japan.
- I've been to Europe.
- I've been to Africa.

Experiences:
- I've been lost in my city. 
- I've seen a shooting star.
- I've wished on a shooting star.
- I've seen a meteor shower.
- I've gone out in public in my pajamas. - I've pushed all the buttons in a lift. (I assume a lift is an elevator?)
- I've been to a casino.
- I've been skydiving.
- I've gone skinny dipping 
- I've played spin the bottle.
- I've crashed a car.- I've been in a play. 
- I've met someone in person from the Internet. 
- I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
- I've seen the Northern Lights.
- I've sat on a roof top at night. 
- I've played chicken. 
- I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show. 
- I've eaten Sushi.- I've been snowboarding. (And I was AWFUL!)

Relationships:
- I'm single.
- I'm in a relationship.
- I'm available.
- I'm engaged.- I'm married.
- I've gone on a blind date. 
- I've been the dumpee more than the dumper.
- I have a fear of abandonment.
- I've been divorced.
- I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. 
- I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
- I've told someone I didn't love them when I did.
- I've kept something from a past relationship.
Sexuality:
- I've had a crush on someone of the same gender.
- I've kissed a member of the same gender.
- I've had sex with someone of the same gender.
- I've had sex with more than one person at the same time.
- I am a cuddler. 
- I've been kissed in the rain.- I've hugged a stranger. 
- I have kissed a stranger.
- I have had sex with a stranger.

Honesty/Crime:
- I've done something I promised someone else I wouldn't. 
- I've done something I promised myself I wouldn't. 
- I have lied to my parents about where I am. (HELLO, High School!)
- I am keeping a secret from the world.- I've cheated while playing a game. 
- I've cheated on a test. 
- I've driven through a red light.
- I've witnessed a crime.
- I've been in a fist fight.
- I've been arrested.- I've shoplifted.

Drugs/Alcohol:
- I've consumed alcohol.
- I smoke pot.
- I regularly drink.
- I've taken painkillers when I didn't need them.
- I've taken cough medicine when I wasn't sick.
- I've done hard drugs.
- I've been addicted to an illegal substance.- I can't swallow pills.
- I can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.

Mental health:
- I have been diagnosed with depression.
- I shut others out when I'm depressed.
- I take anti-depressants.
- I have had an eating disorder.
- I've slept an entire day when I didn't need it.- I've hurt myself on purpose.
- I'm addicted to self harm.
- I've woken up crying.

Death:
- I'm afraid of dying.
- I hate funerals.
- I've seen someone dying.
- I have attempted suicide.
- Someone close to me has attempted suicide.- Someone close to me has committed suicide.

Random:
- I can sing well.
- I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
- I open up to others too easily.
- I watch the news.
- I don't kill bugs.- I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for sake of being able to rhyme.
- I swear regularly.
- I am a morning person
- I paid for my mobile phone ring tone.
- I'm a snob about grammar.- I am a sports fanatic. 
- I play with my hair.
- I have/had "x"s in my screen name.
- I love being neat. 
- I love Spam.
- I've copied more than 30 CD's in a day.
- I bake well. 
- I don't know how to shoot a gun. 
- I am in love with love.- I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
- I eat fast food weekly.
- I believe in ghosts.
- I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
- I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
- I am really ticklish.
- I love white chocolate.
- I bite my nails.- I play video games. 
- I'm good at remembering faces.
- I'm good at remembering names. 
- I'm good at remembering dates.
- I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.

In fun news, I was able to find some boots that I love. I ordered this weekend thanks to Kaybee sending me a 30% off at Banana Republic Coupon! 

These pups will be on my doorstep in 4-8 days! :)

Vote for meee!

Life In The Cove is hosting a monogram contest! I had trouble deciding which cute monogram thing to pick, but settled on my adorable step stool since it's different! Please go vote for me (Entry #6) now through November 30th (MY BIRTHDAY! :)) -- Just click here....

Thanks so much!

XoX,

SouthernBelle